Containing Pariah Femininities: Lesbians in the Sorority Rush Process

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2014

Abstract

Mimi Schippers (2007) theorizes that hegemonic femininity operates in relation to and support of hegemonic masculinity. According to Schippers, hegemonic femininity is maintained by the containment of pariah femininities, gender non-conforming femininities that may contaminate the relationship between hegemonic masculinity and femininity. We extend Schippers' theory by analyzing the containment practices that are used to manage pariah femininities by examining the containment of lesbians in the sorority life of a liberal arts college in the USA. Using interviews and focus groups with sorority members, we demonstrate the way sorority members engage in subtle containment practices such as silencing to prevent lesbians from joining their sorority.

Identifier

10.1177/1363460713516336

Publisher

SAGE Publications Ltd.

Publication Information

Sexualities

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